I take nothing away from Ito Smith -- hell of a running back. And I recognize that production in the running game from the QB position for USM will likely be improved, especially if Howard is the starter.

But I have to wonder. Last year, USM had the sixth best rushing attack in the conference. Yes, Aaron Jones is now a Packer, not at UTEP; Anthony Wells is in the Redskins camp, not at WKU; and Mathers is in training camp with the Jaguars, not at MTSU.

But, both Singletary and Howell return for FAU. And ODU, which had the best rushing attack in the conference last year, has both Lawry and Cox returning for the Monarchs. ODU also has four of five O-linemen returning.

So, will USM move from the sixth best running game in 2016 to be "...the best RBs / ground attack this year in CUSA?"

Of course, the reasonable answer to the question is -- maybe. It's not out of the realm of possibility. But based on the available data, I don't think so.

One hole I'd respectfully punch in your analysis: we had a pretty fearsome passing attack last year. We were too busy throwing long passes to worry about honing our rushing attack. This season, we probably won't be able to say that. The rushing attack will, at the beginning at least, need to the be foundation of our offense. I can't say whether or not our offense will be successful in an overall sense, but I would expect to see more carries and more yards from our RBs.

I take nothing away from Ito Smith -- hell of a running back. And I recognize that production in the running game from the QB position for USM will likely be improved, especially if Howard is the starter.

But I have to wonder. Last year, USM had the sixth best rushing attack in the conference. Yes, Aaron Jones is now a Packer, not at UTEP; Anthony Wells is in the Redskins camp, not at WKU; and Mathers is in training camp with the Jaguars, not at MTSU.

But, both Singletary and Howell return for FAU. And ODU, which had the best rushing attack in the conference last year, has both Lawry and Cox returning for the Monarchs. ODU also has four of five O-linemen returning.

So, will USM move from the sixth best running game in 2016 to be "...the best RBs / ground attack this year in CUSA?"

Of course, the reasonable answer to the question is -- maybe. It's not out of the realm of possibility. But based on the available data, I don't think so.

One hole I'd respectfully punch in your analysis: we had a pretty fearsome passing attack last year. We were too busy throwing long passes to worry about honing our rushing attack. This season, we probably won't be able to say that. The rushing attack will, at the beginning at least, need to the be foundation of our offense. I can't say whether or not our offense will be successful in an overall sense, but I would expect to see more carries and more yards from our RBs.

I'd say we threw the ball quite a lot last year too with David Washington. Not knowing who will be at qb, we'll definitely rely even more on the run game than last year I think

(08-04-2017 07:08 PM)ODUMONARCHZ1 Wrote: I'd say we threw the ball quite a lot last year too with David Washington. Not knowing who will be at qb, we'll definitely rely even more on the run game than last year I think

I take nothing away from Ito Smith -- hell of a running back. And I recognize that production in the running game from the QB position for USM will likely be improved, especially if Howard is the starter.

But I have to wonder. Last year, USM had the sixth best rushing attack in the conference. Yes, Aaron Jones is now a Packer, not at UTEP; Anthony Wells is in the Redskins camp, not at WKU; and Mathers is in training camp with the Jaguars, not at MTSU.

But, both Singletary and Howell return for FAU. And ODU, which had the best rushing attack in the conference last year, has both Lawry and Cox returning for the Monarchs. ODU also has four of five O-linemen returning.

So, will USM move from the sixth best running game in 2016 to be "...the best RBs / ground attack this year in CUSA?"

Of course, the reasonable answer to the question is -- maybe. It's not out of the realm of possibility. But based on the available data, I don't think so.

One hole I'd respectfully punch in your analysis: we had a pretty fearsome passing attack last year. We were too busy throwing long passes to worry about honing our rushing attack. This season, we probably won't be able to say that. The rushing attack will, at the beginning at least, need to the be foundation of our offense. I can't say whether or not our offense will be successful in an overall sense, but I would expect to see more carries and more yards from our RBs.

S. Miss lead the conference last year in rushing attempts finished 6th in RYPG

(08-04-2017 07:42 PM)WKUYG Wrote: S. Miss lead the conference last year in rushing attempts finished 6th in RYPG

I'd imagine a lot of those "rushing attempts" were sacks. It was feast-or-famine for USM last year... lots of long passes, lots of sacks. That said, I'm not questioning the stats. A rushing attempt is whatever the NCAA says it is. I'm just saying that it doesn't necessarily reflect RB talent.

(08-03-2017 09:24 PM)dahbeed Wrote: Western has had top notch quarterbacks in Doughty and White and top notch running backs like Wales and top notch recievers like Taylor and Norris.

But the reason Western has been so good the last few years is they probably had the best O-Line in the conference. These big boys gave those guys an opportunity to perform at the level they did.

Western has had really good O-Lines for several years now. It's usually the younger fans that think their running backs are all world because that's how they see the field. Put Lawry and company behind a bad o-line and lets see how great he is.

Hell, if D'Andre Ferby stays healthy (I honestly doubt it) and Quinton Baker stays out of trouble I'd put them up against any of these backs being mentioned. Mainly because I believe our O-Line is still going to be one of the best in the league.

WKU has had a nice run but the fall is going to be epic. All the teams that WKU has beat down are licking their lips waiting for the opportunity to skull drag Western. Listen, I respect WKU but a 3 peat is not going to happen. This conference is about as balanced in the top half as it ever has been.
Western is braking in a new offensive line so their could be some problems. I'm not saying Western is going to suck but the domination is about to end.
Every time USM is mentioned, some WKU fan throws shade our way. Southern Miss is going to get WKU on a national stage soon for some payback.

So much salt in that post.

I just hope we don't hurt so many of their players the next time we play. We've played USM twice. It was never really a game either time.

USM gonna have to do a whole lot of coming up and Western gonna have to do a whole lot of falling to make this a game.

I can think of a lot of teams we dominated for decades, not just 2 games (and a lot of them have passed us by), so what? You guys caught us in an unusual down period (the worst in our 100 year history), so be glad the football gods smiled upon you and your 500 fans.....and remember payback will be hayell!

That first game vs S. Miss was sad. Our defense unloaded on a couple S. Miss qbs that game. As a Western fan (I think most would agree with me) I was surprised at how awful S. Miss played. I look forward to playing S. Miss at your house and hopefully both teams playing well.

Now for the second game..... A 9 win S. Miss team is your 2nd (tied) highest win total in 25+ years

Monk"s last year was an anomaly, we still ain't "there" yet----it was 9 wins against paltry competition....and the Championship game was actually very competitive til late.

Yeah, La Tech was the only opponent we beat with a winning record in 2015. And we had no pass rush versus Doughty.

Though the record doesn't show it, we improved in some areas in 2016. We beat La Tech and Kentucky in 2016. LSU, among others, showed our flaws. Turnovers and momentary crap-fests on defense, which lessened eventually.

Neither Kentucky or Tennessee will be as good as LSU was last year. Neither have a Guice, or anything like him. They are beatable. I don't see us giving away games to Charlotte, UNT, and UTSA again either. Games AT Marshall, UTSA, and La Tech are supposed to be our undoing in-conference.

Have no earthly idea what our offense will look like, but our defense will be stout.

(08-05-2017 08:02 AM)USM@FTL Wrote: Yeah, La Tech was the only opponent we beat with a winning record in 2015. And we had no pass rush versus Doughty.

Though the record doesn't show it, we improved in some areas in 2016. We beat La Tech and Kentucky in 2016. LSU, among others, showed our flaws. Turnovers and momentary crap-fests on defense, which lessened eventually.

Neither Kentucky or Tennessee will be as good as LSU was last year. Neither have a Guice, or anything like him. They are beatable. I don't see us giving away games to Charlotte, UNT, and UTSA again either. Games AT Marshall, UTSA, and La Tech are supposed to be our undoing in-conference.

Have no earthly idea what our offense will look like, but our defense will be stout.

We'll be the exact opposite. Our offense should be good, but our defense will continue to resemble the Keystone Kops as long as Baker is our DC.